Italy wants close association in Morocco's economic development
Italian president, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, said Tuesday his country wants to be a close associate in Morocco's economic development and contribute to creating an important production and consumption market.
The Italian president, speaking at a dinner hosted in his honor by King Mohammed VI, stressed that Morocco is an excellent partner for the development of productive trade dynamics, for contacts between civil societies and for inter-cultural interaction.
After he underscored the strong links between Morocco and Italy "neighbors by their history, culture and humanity," the Italian head of state hailed the King's action which helped Morocco make significant headway toward democracy, greater respect of human and minorities' rights and economic liberalization. Ciampi further stressed that growth is the only answer to the expectations of young generations in terms of jobs and is likely to increase trade opportunities and financial, industrial and technological cooperation.
He recalled that the sovereign had, while visiting Italy in April 2000, called Italy to defend Morocco's interests with Europe saying that this request has been heeded and that today Morocco and Italy are convinced that the future of the Mediterranean depends on ties with Europe and are united by the will to face together economic, cultural and environment challenges.
The Italian head of state, who supported the holding the soonest of an international conference on the middle east, under the auspices of the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the USA, urged the sovereign, in his capacity as chairman of Al-Quds committee, to endeavor for the protection of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), of its holy sites and for free access to all believers. "Today more than ever, Muslim, Christian and Jewish believers need religious comfort," he said, adding "Morocco's longstanding tradition of religious freedom and respect of other peoples is a priceless legacy for all. The future of the Mediterranean depends on common and peaceful life of the three monotheist religions which were born and grew on its borders."
